A petition calling on East Lindsey District Council to rescind the noise abatement order served to an animal rescue shelter in North Somercotes has hit its target of 10,000 signatures.

The Ark Animal Rescue and Retirement Home was served a noise abatement order after the council received noise complaints from a nearby property because of barking dogs at the sanctuary.

Since the news of the order broke, there has been widespread support for the rescue centre, which has been in the village for more than 30 years.

An online petition that was started after the order was served, gathering more than 10,000 signatures in just a matter of days.

More than 10,000 people have signed the petition supporting The Ark Animal Rescue and Retirement Home, after it was served a noise abatement order by East Lindsey District Council (Image: Rick Byrne / Grimsbylive)

It states: "The Ark has bent over backwards and spent much needed funds on noise reduction schemes but to no avail, the complainants are still not satisfied. How do you tell a distressed dog not to bark or howl at times?"

Residents have branded complaints about the noise ridiculous, particularly given there is an RAF bombing range just down the road.

Sue Rice, who runs The Ark Animal Rescue, said that she had been "overwhelmed" with the support she has received from the local community and further afield, with people from as far as California signing the petition to help them.

Out of the more than 10,000 signatures, 9,700 have come from the UK, with the vast majority of these being local people.

Sue said: "One of our older volunteers set up the petition after we received the order last week and since then it has really taken off.

The ark has rehomed hundreds of dogs, but has been told to reduce the noise from their barking (Image: Rick Byrne / Grimsbylive)

"My mind has been blown by the support that we have received, and people have even been stopping me and our volunteers on the street in order to wish us support, hoping that we continue the work that my mother Pauline started all the years ago on a shoestring.

"Last week after we got the order I really felt quite defeated and wasn't sure how we were going to make it through, but over the past week that has completely changed and now I feel that we can really do it.

"A solicitor from Bridge McFarland, Joe Pepper, has offered us his services free of charge, which has given us another real boost knowing that we have the legal support behind us now, and we are very grateful for all of his help.

Sue and Pilot at the Ark Animal Rescue and Retirement Home, which has received a noise abatement order (Image: Rick Byrne / Grimsbylive)

"We have also been offered a large donation by a very generous individual to help us sound proof our kennels further.

"It is quite amazing how things have turned around in a week and I really think that we will do it now.

"My mum, who sadly died last year, started this shelter more than 30 years ago and built it up from nothing to what it is now, and I just want to continue the work that she has started and keep up helping animals who are truly in need."

If you would like to sign the petition for the Ark Animal Rescue and Retirement Home follow this link.